Clever as far as animated films go, “The Croods” takes an amazing voice cast and some fantastic visuals and puts them together in what is likely one of the best animated films of the year. Delving in the world of cavemen, the story of one lone family hiding safe in a cave for the rest of their days takes off when another lone caveman named Guy (Ryan Reynolds) shows up and warns of an approaching earthquake. The children’s film touches on many adult subjects like death and stepping out of your comfort zone and does so in an entertaining way for adults as well. With numerous laughs, mostly with running gags, like Grug (Nicolas Cage) hoping that his mother-in-law, Gram (Cloris Leachman) doesn’t live to see tomorrowland, “The Croods” remains fresh while sticking to the animated basics. With some interesting shot selections and cinematography liaison Roger Deakins this film almost steps out from being average, but comes off a little too much like Dreamworks other cash cow franchise “Shrek”.